The former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Nyesom Wike, Mr. Opunabo Inko-Tariah, has defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Inko-Tariah expressed his support for the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2015 general elections, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, adding that it was natural for him to reciprocate gestures.
Speaking through a statement he signed and issued on Thursday, Inko-Tariah also commended the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, for coming to his aide when he took ill.
Inko-Tariah said that although he had criticised Amaechi in the past, he pointed out that it was reinvigorating to note that the same Amaechi called to sympathise with him.
Inko-Tariah added that to reciprocate the former governor’s gesture, he would do his best to ensure that Peterside emerge as the governor of the state should there be a rerun.
He said, “It was surprising that a man I censured, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, CON, the Hon. Minister of Transport, was the same person who showed unsolicited love and care.
“It was reinvigorating when he called to sympathise and also gave his widow’s mite while I was already in the United States for medical treatment after reading my resignation letter. How compassionate can a man be!
“On my support for Hon. (Dr.) Dakuku Peterside, it is only natural that one reciprocates gestures. Therefore, I state my support for Rt. Hon. Amaechi and Dr. Peterside for the love they have shown.
“More so, Dr. Peterside is a man whose refreshing initiatives and articulated policy options will help refuel the ethos of good governance in Rivers State.” On why he resigned as the special adviser to the governor, Inko-Tariah recalled how he sustained head injuries after falling in a bathroom and how he escaped assassination, adding that the governor did not show concern over his plight.
He said, “As the special adviser to the governor, I fell in the bathroom and sustained serious head injuries. Two days later, I went to the office with the injury and all that the governor said was ‘thank God, you are alive’. Nothing after that.
“I had a close shave with death as my car was riddled with bullets. The governor did not bother to, at least, ask what happened. Even when I puked blood and he was informed, he showed no concern.”
He, however, stated that contrary to the insinuation that he was sacked by the Wike’s administration, he resigned as the special adviser to the governor.
